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| Brandon Novak has been at his alma mater, first as a football player and later as a coach, since the mid-1990s. d3photography.com file photo by Wade Gardner |
After 26 years as an assistant coach and seasons on the field for St. John's, defensive coordinator Brandon Novak is leaving Collegeville, Minnesota, to take over the head coaching job at Loras, in Dubuque, Iowa.
Novak, who was on the first D3football.com All-America team as a first-teamer at linebacker in 1999, replaces Steve Helminiak, who was let go at the end of the season. The Duhawks finished 3-7, 3-5 in the American Rivers Conference, and were 42-73 (.365) since Helminiak took over with three games remaining in the 2013 season.
Loras alumni were informed on Thursday, Dec. 18.
“I am humbled, thankful, and incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the Loras College football program into its next chapter,” said Novak. “From my first conversations on campus, it was clear that Loras is a truly special place. I want to begin by thanking athletic director Denise Udelhofen, who has been truly outstanding to work with throughout this process. Her leadership and support for Loras athletics make this opportunity especially meaningful. I am also grateful to president Mike Doyle and senior vice president Art Sunleaf for taking the time to meet with me and for sharing the brilliance that defines Loras College. Finally, I want to thank the members of the search committee for taking time out of their incredibly busy schedules to share why Loras has been such a special place to each of them.”
"St. John's University has been far more than a place I coached, wrestled and played football — it has been home for three decades and a cornerstone in my life and that of my family," Novak said in an SJU news release. "From my years as a student-athlete when I first was introduced to campus pillars like Richard Ice, Jean Keller, Br. Paul Richards and Ken Jones, to the 26 seasons I was part of the coaching staff at SJU learning from legends like John Gagliardi, Jerry Haugen and John Elton, this place shaped me as a coach, leader and person. I am deeply grateful to all of the mentors I have had at Saint John's, whose guidance, standards and belief in developing young men the right way have left a lasting impact on me.
"To the coaches that I have had the extreme pleasure of working alongside, I am proud of all that we have done on and off the field. None of the last 30 years would have been possible without the incredible impact that Gary Fasching had on my life. From the first time meeting him in 1994, to playing for him at this one-of-a-kind place, and having an incredible four years as a player, to the opportunity he gave me to be his defensive coordinator, he has been my mentor and friend. Thank you."
As a star linebacker for SJU from 1996-99, the Becker, Minn., native was named the MIAC Most Valuable Player in 1999 and was a two-time, first-team All-American. The Johnnies posted a 39-8 (32-4 MIAC) record during his four years as a student-athlete with three trips to the NCAA playoffs and three MIAC titles. Novak is currently tied for the program record in single-season tackles for loss (22.0 in 1998), second in career solo tackles (153), third in career total tackles (333), fourth in single-season tackles (130 in 1998) and fifth in career tackles for loss (50.0).
Novak was also a four-time national qualifier, three-time All-American and a 2001 national champion for the Johnnie wrestling team. As a freshman, Novak placed fifth nationally at 190 pounds. After a return trip where he did not place as a sophomore, he qualified again as a junior, taking third at 197 pounds.
His senior year (2000-01) was one of the best individual seasons in Johnnie wrestling history. He dominated his way to a 23-1 record, with his only loss coming to a non-Division III opponent. Novak earned the Carl Larson Trophy, as the most valuable wrestler at the MIAC Tournament, following a conference championship at 197 pounds and capped his illustrious career with a national title. His career winning percentage of .871 (101-15 record) is still the best in SJU history.
After graduation, he pursued a coaching career at SJU. He spent 10 seasons as SJU's head wrestling coach from 2004-14 and compiled an 83-73 dual record. Novak coached 21 NWCA Scholar All-Americans and 16 All-Americans, including a school-record five All-Americans in 2011. Minga Batsukh won three consecutive national championships from 2009-11.
He stepped down as head wrestling coach in 2014 to become a full-time assistant with the football program.